WINDSOR – Hants West MLA Chuck Porter today saluted the brave Nova Scotian’s serving with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan.

The long-standing relationship between the province and the Canadian Forces is strong and positive and Mr. Porter wants troops deployed in Afghanistan and their families to know how much they are appreciated back home.

“The brave men and women who are serving in Afghanistan are continuing Canada’s proud tradition of protecting ideals like freedom and democracy,” the Progressive Conservative MLA said. “I want them to know we are proud of them and praying for their safe return home.”

Last week, Premier Rodney MacDonald and members of the Government (PC) Caucus met with Rear Admiral Dean McFadden, commander of Joint Task Force Atlantic and sent gift packages to Nova Scotians currently serving in Afghanistan as a reminder that we are thinking about their our families in other parts of the world and that the work they are doing does not go unnoticed.

ST. PETERS – Children in the Donkin-Port Caledonia area will soon have a safe, new place to play because of funding from the MacDonald government, Cape Breton West MLA Alfie MacLeod said today.

Through the Recreational Facility Development Program at the Department of Health Promotion and Protection, the Donkin Port Caledonia Rural Development Association will receive $20,000 to assist with the costs of a new playground.

“This funding will help the Donkin Port Caledonia Rural Development Association provide a place for local children to get active, stay healthy and have fun,” Mr. MacLeod said. “I am very pleased our government is contributing to this important project.”

The Recreation Facility Development program seeks to encourage physical activity and social interaction among Nova Scotians.

The program provides capital assistance and planning for the construction, renovation, conservation or acquisition of recreational facilities.

WINDSOR, NS - “Health Minister Chris d’Entremont’s announcement today of more rapid treatment for heart attack victims, along with enhanced training for paramedics is another example of Premier Rodney Macdonald government’s commitment to providing quality pre hospital health care to our communities,” Hants West MLA Chuck Porter said today.

“If you consider someone having a heart attack in Leminster or Walton, the Hants Community Hospital in Windsor is the closest Emergency Room Trauma Centre, but travel time to the facility can be nearly thirty minutes away,”said Mr. Porter. “The enhancements announced today will allow treatment to begin almost instantly.”

Nova Scotia’s ground ambulances have had defibrillators for some time but with the new equipment upgrade, a 12-lead process will transmit the electrocardiogram through special cell phone transmissions allowing emergency room doctors to know the severity of the related heart condition before the patient ever arrives. This will eliminate the time it formerly took to perform the test upon the patient’s arrival in ER. Clinical trials in Cape Breton and the local Capital District Health Authority since 2003, indicate a significant decrease in mortality rates of heart attack victims.

The Hants Community Hospital ER team handles approximately 50 suspected cases of heart attacks each year and the Hospital will be one of only nineteen across Nova Scotia getting the results via fax.

Nova Scotia’s ground ambulance system is recognized by national emergency health experts as the best in Canada and one of the best in North America.

NEW GLASGOW – As students head back to school, the MacDonald government is lending a helping hand to Pictou County families who receive income assistance, Pictou Centre MLA Pat Dunn said today.

“The cost of backpacks, lunch bags, paper and calculators puts a financial strain on many families,” Mr. Dunn said. “This program will ease the strain and help families prepare their children for learning.”

Families will receive $50 for each five- to 12-year-old child and $100 for each child 13 years of age and older who is attending public school. The money will be added to income assistance cheques sent out in late August. Families are not required to apply for the funding.

The program is expected to cost $757,750 and will help more than 10,000 children.

This is the seventh year a Progressive Conservative government has helped families with back-to-school expenses.

GUYSBOROUGH – The MacDonald government is giving local families who receive income assistance a helping hand with back-to-school expenses, Guysborough-Sheet Harbour MLA Ronnie Chisholm said today.

“The costs of getting ready to go back to school can be financially difficult for many families,” Mr. Chisholm said. “Our government wants to make back-to-school as stress-free as possible for families who receive assistance.”

Families will receive $50 for each five- to 12-year-old child and $100 for each child 13 years of age and older who is attending public school. The money will be added to income assistance cheques sent out in late August. Families are not required to apply for the funding.

The program is expected to cost $757,750 and will help more than 10,000 children.

“This is the seventh year our government has extended this program,” Mr. Chisholm concluded. “It has a track record of successfully helping families.”

WINDSOR – Hants County families receiving income assistance will get a helping hand with back-to-school supplies from the MacDonald government, Hants West MLA Chuck Porter said today.

“Each new school year brings excitement with it, but it also brings added costs for pencils, backpacks and other school supplies,” Mr. Porter said. “Our government is helping ease the financial stress of back-to-school for families who receive assistance with this $757,750 program.”

Families will receive $50 for each five- to 12-year-old child and $100 for each child 13 years of age and older who is attending public school. The money will be added to income assistance cheques sent out in late August. Families are not required to apply for the funding.

About 10, 780 students across Nova Scotia will benefit from this funding. This is the seventh year that a Progressive Conservative government has delivered this program to help with back-to-school costs.

CAPE BRETON WEST – Cooperation between the MacDonald government and CBRM will bring needed improvements to Route 255, the Donkin Highway, Cape Breton West MLA Alfie MacLeod said today.

A tender has been called for patching and re-paving of more than five kilometres of Route 255, from the Glace Bay Town Line south to Durns Corner.

“The municipality recently installed a water line along this road,” Mr. MacLeod said. “By working together with CBRM, especially Councillor Kevin Saccary, we are able to make these improvements in addition to the water project. It’s a win-win situation.”

The tender closes September 8.

“This shows how well elected officials from two levels of government can work together for a common cause,” said Mr. Saccary.

The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works' highways division manages more than 23,000 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia. It maintains 4,100 bridges and operates seven provincial ferries. Staff provide services from district offices in Bridgewater, Bedford, Truro and Sydney.

BEDFORD – The Bedford Progressive Conservative is holding an Appreciation Night for former Bedford MLA Peter Christie.

The event will be held Monday, August 28, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bedford Basin Yacht Club, 73 Shore Drive in Bedford. Tickets are $20.

“For decades, Peter Christie has contributed to the community with his tireless public service,” Bedford MLA Len Goucher said. “The Appreciation Night gives us all an opportunity to tell Peter how grateful we are for all he has done.”

Mr. Christie is a life-long resident of Bedford. He is the former Mayor and a former councillor of the Town or Bedford and a former member of the Bedford Service Commission. First elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in July 1999, Mr. Christie served as Minister of Community Services, Minister responsible for Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations and Minister of Finance.

His extensive community involvement includes serving as president of the Bedford Minor Hockey Association. He is a former member of the Bedford Incorporation Committee, the co-chair of the Bedford United Church Renovation Campaign, the former chair of the Bedford Christmas Parade of Lights for Beacon House and the Metro Food Bank and is an active member of the Rotary Club.

ANTIGONISH – Students returning to school will receive some tax relief with an eight per cent point-of-sale rebate on eligible books with CD-ROMS introduced recently by the MacDonald government, Antigonish MLA Angus MacIsaac said today.

“This tax change will mean savings for students buying text books with CD-ROMs included and for other Nova Scotians,” Mr. MacIsaac said. “Since print books are already eligible for the point-of-sale rebate, this change just makes sense.”

The rebate will apply to:
- a printed book packaged with a CD-ROM, if the material on the CD-ROM supplements and is integrated with the book, and
- products specially designed for students enrolled in a qualifying course consisting of a printed book packaged with a CD-ROM, and/or access to a website, containing related materials.

The point-of-sale rebate on books with CD-ROMS is effective September 1.

“The cost of text books can be a financial burden post secondary students,” the Progressive Conservative MLA said. “I hope this change will provide some relief.”

This is a co-ordinated HST change in the harmonized provinces -- Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador -- and will be effective in all three provinces on the same day.

More information regarding this tax change is available on the Department of Finance website at www.gov.ns.ca/finance .

NEW GLASGOW – Motorists in the Little Harbour area will benefit from a road improvement tender called by the MacDonald government, Pictou Centre MLA Pat Dunn said today.

The tender calls for 5.9 kilometres of patching and repaving on Woodburn Road, from Trunk 4 at Pine Tree, north to Route 289 at Kings Head.

“The Woodburn Road is well-used by school buses, local residents and cottagers,” Mr. Dunn said. “I am very pleased our government is moving to make these much needed improvements.”

The project is expected by be complete by the end of October.

The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works' highways division manages more than 23,000 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia. It maintains 4,100 bridges and operates seven provincial ferries. Staff provide services from district offices in Bridgewater, Bedford, Truro and Sydney.

WINDSOR – The MacDonald government has called a tender to repave a section of Scotch Village Station Road, Hants West MLA Chuck Porter said today.

The tender is to repave a 0.5 kilometre section of Scotch Village Station Road, from Route 225 to North River in Scotch Village. This section is part of a project that will also see 7.2 kilometres of repaving on Walton Woods Road, from North River Road to the West Hants Municipal Land fill and 0.5 kilometres of repaving on North River Road from Station Road to Walton Woods Road.

“Good, well-maintained roads are essential in rural Nova Scotia,” Mr. Porter said. “They strengthen our social and economic ties to other communities and other provinces. I am very pleased to see these improvements moving ahead.”

The Department of Transportation and Public Works' highways division manages more than 23,000 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia. It maintains 4,100 bridges and operates seven provincial ferries. Staff provide services from district offices in Bridgewater, Bedford, Truro and Sydney.

WINDSOR – Travelers on Highway 101 will soon have a safer, better trip thanks to a tender called by the MacDonald government, Hants West MLA Chuck Porter said today.

The tender has been called for the construction of the Newport Station overpass. The project is expected to be completed by the middle of December.

“Safety on Highway 101 is a priority for local residents and for our government,” Mr. Porter said. “With projects like this one we are making great progress on increasing safety for all drivers on the highway.”

The Department of Transportation and Public Works' highways division manages more than 23,000 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia. It maintains 4,100 bridges and operates seven provincial ferries. Staff provide services from district offices in Bridgewater, Bedford, Truro and Sydney.

WOLFVILLE – Local residents concerned about the condition of Miner Bridge will soon travel over a new bridge, Kings South MLA David Morse said today.

Nova paving Ltd., has won the contract to replace Miner Bridge. The project is expected to be completed by mid-September.

“The Department of Transportation and Public Works delayed this project until the eastern Section of Gaspereau River Road was first repaired,” Mr. Morse explained. “I appreciate how patient residents have been is allowing the department the time to get the job done right. These repairs should serve us all for a long time to come.”

The Department of Transportation and Public Works' highways division manages more than 23,000 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia. It maintains 4,100 bridges and operates seven provincial ferries. Staff provide services from district offices in Bridgewater, Bedford, Truro and Sydney.

NEW GLASGOW – The MacDonald government is supporting the marketing activities of the Ship Hector Foundation with new funding, Pictou Centre MLA Pat Dunn said today.

Through the Destination Opportunities Program at the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, government has provided $6,400 as the first installment of payment towards marketing activities of the Ship Hector Foundation.

“The Ship Hector Foundation preserves an important part of our past and generates a lot of tourism interest for our region,” Mr. Dunn said. “With this support from our government, I know the foundation will be even more successful in drawing visitors to Pictou County.”

In 1773 the Dutch ship Hector, loaded with 170 Scottish Kighlanders landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia. The reconstruction of the ship is a tribute to the strength and courage of those individuals and is a leading tourist attraction in Pictou County.
Under the Destination Opportunities Program, destinations within Nova Scotia are encouraged to develop marketing or development programs which highlight particular strengths, while at the same time supporting the overall strategic tourism efforts of the province. Proposals must be destination or product driven and include a minimum 50% private sector financial support.

GUYSBOROUGH – The MacDonald government is moving forward with several road and bridge improvements in Guysborough County, Guysborough-Sheet Harbour MLA Ron Chisholm said today.